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What are the best used cars to purchase?

Looking for a quality used vehicle to purchase? The process of buying a used car can seem overwhelming; so many different cars and dealerships to sort through for the best price and quality is a large task. However, consumers can follow a few key points that can guide them on their way to a quality vehicle purchase. In fact, once consumers find a car they feel comfortable driving, they can go online to input their ZIP code to find great car insurance quotes.

Years on the Road

One of the best used cars to purchase is one that has not been on the road that long, such as a two or three year old vehicle. Brand new cars depreciate considerably after simply driving off the dealer’s lot; it can lose a few thousand dollars’ worth of value in a few short miles. However, used car consumers can thwart this amazing depreciation by looking to slightly older vehicles.

Many high end customers will lease a brand new vehicle for two or three years. Dealerships will commonly take the vehicle back after that time so the customer can lease the next great yearly model. Those consumers looking to grab a great deal should look for the returned leased vehicles; they will normally have low mileage and can possibly still retain the manufacturer’s warranty. Most of the vehicle’s life is still ahead of it so consumer’s can feel like they have a new car without the high sticker price.

Dealer Warranties

Even a newer used car can develop problems. Savvy consumers should check on the car warranty status before the vehicle is even purchased. Read the car’s window advertisement carefully; some dealers will only offer an “as-is” warranty. These warranties are essentially lifting any liability off of the dealer in case of a vehicle malfunction. The consumer will need to pay for any repairs after the “as-is” purchase.

Consumers should look to see if the manufacturer still covers the vehicle, such as in two or three year old cars, by contacting the producer themselves to verify the VIN (vehicle identification number). If the vehicle is past the manufacturer’s warranty period, it is still possible to receive a form of warranty.

A service contract can be devised between the dealer and the consumer to cover certain agreed upon vehicle points, such as repairing the powertrain at no charge up to a specified mileage. This contract can easily save the consumer a lot of money in the future if an engine portion begins to fail.

Pre-Purchase Inspections

The best used cars to purchase are those that have been inspected by an independent third party mechanic. Dealers are trying to make a sale with the highest profit margin possible; although they may have inspected it themselves, key engine components may be worn and can possibly fail soon after adding additional road miles. As a consumer looks over a vehicle on a dealer’s lot, he or she should insist on an inspection before deciding on pricing and the final sale.

Third party mechanics should be of the consumer’s choice, not the dealer’s recommendation. Similar to any business industry, dealers can have mutual friends within the car community that will sway their engine findings toward the dealer’s benefit if the consumer visits a recommended mechanic. Consumers can look for independent mechanics in another part of town to receive the best unbiased opinion over functionality and vehicle quality.

Go Online

Some of the best vehicles in the consumer’s mind may not operate well with professional car reviewers. The Internet is full of review sites that cover every inch of the car, from handling to aesthetics. The best used cars will still reflect their original driving capacity as a reliable and durable vehicle. Any major negative reviews, such as those describing an intermittent engine quality, should be avoided.

Quantity of Owners

Used cars sold by a private party can be quality purchases if the vehicle has not been owned by many different owners. Consumers should look for used vehicles that have one owner throughout their lifespan; retaining one owner for the life of the used vehicle can imply that the car has been maintained and not sold back and forth to questionable people through the years and neglected overall.

Consumers should obtain the VIN from the seller before purchase. Many online websites offer vehicle history reports that describe the quantity of owners over the years based on the identification number. Any large quantities of owners can indicate that the vehicle may have repair issues since owners could have been selling it to rid themselves of a large repair bill.

Repair History

Following the VIN verification with the quantity of owners, confirming past repair or accident histories is imperative for a good used car sale. Consumers should go online to verify that the vehicle’s particular VIN number has not been involved in an accident that bent the frame; damage to the car’s frame can alter the handling and functionality for the life of the vehicle. Any reports of involvement in flooding should be avoided as well.

Overall, purchasing the best used car requires some quality research by the consumer. However, careful and researched choices can lead to a quality vehicle with many good years ahead. After finding the best vehicle, consumers should go online to compare car insurance quotes by simply plugging in their ZIP code.